Career Espresso

You're a better leader than you think you are. At the end of every day, you notice what went wrong. The conversation that didn't land. The decision you're still second-guessing. The person on your team you're not sure how to reach. What you don't notice is everything that's working. The fact that your team is functioning. That work is getting done. That you're the one making that happen. This epis...

I can't stop doing everything myself You're reviewing something your team has done and it's good. But you find yourself tweaking it anyway. Adjusting the wording, reorganising a section, adding something they didn't think of. Or someone asks you a question and instead of pointing them toward figuring it out, you just answer it. Because it's quicker. Because it's easier than watching them work thro...

How to find your people as a leader You're in a leadership role and something's shifted. The people you used to talk things through with? That's complicated now. Your team can't be your sounding board because you're their boss. Your own boss has their own agenda. And the networking advice you see everywhere feels exhausting when what you actually need is someone you can be real with. This episode...

Why doesn't good enough feel good enough? You're exhausted. You're managing a thousand things at once. At the end of every day, you look back at everything that went wrong, everything you didn't get to, everything that's still not quite right. What you're not noticing? Your team is functioning. Work is getting done. Things are moving forward. You're the one making that happen but it doesn't feel l...

How to have career conversations that help You schedule a career conversation and both of you immediately feel that slight dread. You ask where they see themselves in five years. They give a polished answer that means nothing. You both tick the box and move on. Nothing actually changes. This episode of Career Espresso is about having career conversations that actually help people—not as a performa...

What if I make the wrong decision? You need to make a decision but you're not sure what the right answer is. Every option has it's downsides and every choice feels like it could go wrong. The longer you sit with it, the heavier it gets because you're responsible for other people now. This episode of Career Espresso is about making decisions when you can't be certain, trusting your judgment when th...

How to support your team without doing their work Someone brings you a problem and you jump straight in with the answer. You think you're helping but you're actually building a team that can't function without you. This episode of Career Espresso is about supporting people without rescuing them, asking questions instead of solving everything, and recognising when stepping in is the right call vers...

Now I’m their boss and it’s awkward You got promoted and now you manage the people you used to work alongside. It feels odd for you and for them. This episode of Career Espresso is about naming the shift early, resetting how you work together, and staying human while you do it. We'll also talk about the quiet “who does she think she is” undercurrent women can face and how to hold your ground. What...

You've given feedback. They nodded. They said they understood. Nothing changed. Sound familiar? This episode tackles one of the hardest parts of managing - giving feedback that actually works. You host Amanda breaks down why most feedback fails and what to do instead. What you'll discover Why "be more proactive" means nothing and what to say instead The hidden challenge women face when giving feed...

My team doesn't respect me. How women leaders can earn authority at work Your team talks over you. Questions your decisions. Goes around you to escalate issues. You're wondering if you're imagining it. You're not. In this episode, your host Amanda tackles one of the hardest challenges in leadership: when your team doesn't respect you. And if you're a woman leader or new manager, the problem runs d...

You've built confidence and started speaking up, so why are less qualified colleagues still getting promoted while your ideas disappear into organizational black holes? The problem isn't your confidence. It's the missing strategy between feeling confident and actually getting ahead. This week's episode was made for women who are tired of working twice as hard for half the recognition and are ready...

Struggling with workplace confidence? You're not alone. In this episode of Career Espresso, Amanda tackles the myth that confidence is something you're born with, revealing how it's actually a skill you can develop through practice. Research shows that what looks like "natural confidence" is really the result of deliberate practice. This episode explores the three pillars that transform profession...

Are you struggling to build a professional online presence that feels authentic? In this episode of Career Espresso, Amanda tackles the challenge of developing digital authority without compromising your values or becoming just another "hustle culture influencer." The reality is clear, having zero online presence is increasingly a liability in today's professional landscape. Research shows that 65...

Facing redundancy or restructuring? Don't panic, it might be your biggest career opportunity. In this episode, Amanda shares her tested three-part framework for not just surviving but thriving during workplace change. What you'll learn - ➡️ The critical difference between those who stagnate during change and those who advance ➡️ A practical three-step framework: Read the landscape, Reposition your...

Worried AI might take your job? This episode shows you how to make AI your career ally instead of your replacement. In just 20 minutes, you'll learn practical strategies to use AI while strengthening the human skills that truly matter. Discover why the real career threat isn't AI itself—it's refusing to partner with it. What you'll learn - ➡️ Why AI-confident professionals are twice as likely to g...

Remote work is here to stay, but is it silently hurting your career? In this essential episode, Amanda tackles the "proximity paradox" – the surprising reality that while remote work offers better work-life balance and higher productivity, it might be damaging your long-term career prospects. Stanford research reveals remote workers are promoted 35% less often than their in-office counterparts. Yo...

In Episode 84, your host Amanda questions common career advice that might send you in the wrong direction. If conflicting guidance about staying relevant leaves you confused, this episode offers clarity. Episode Highlights ➡️ Why technical certifications often miss the mark for long-term success ➡️ Three capabilities that make you valuable regardless of workplace changes ➡️ How to manage your skil...

Are you stretching yourself too thin trying to master every skill in your industry? In this episode of Career Espresso, host Amanda tackles "The Generalist Myth" – the misguided belief that career success depends on being a jack-of-all-trades. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by job descriptions demanding 15+ different skills or worried that specialising might limit your opportunities, this episode...

Are your exceptional skills keeping you stuck? In this episode of Career Espresso, host Amanda tackles the counterintuitive paradox that's holding back talented professionals everywhere: The Expertise Trap . Discover why the common advice to "keep your head down and do excellent work" might be the biggest career myth preventing your advancement. Through compelling research and real-world examples,...

Are you constantly struggling to achieve the perfect work-life balance? What if that elusive ideal is actually holding you back from creating the flexible, fulfilling career you truly deserve? In this episode of Career Espresso, host Amanda challenges the conventional wisdom around work-life balance, revealing why this oversimplified concept might be causing more harm than good in today's intercon...

Is the traditional career ladder holding you back? In this episode of Career Espresso, your host Amanda challenges the outdated "career ladder" metaphor that dominates so many development conversations. If you've ever felt like a failure for not getting a promotion, worried that a lateral move means "giving up," or stressed about "falling behind" after taking time off—this episode reveals why thos...

Is "Imposter Syndrome" holding you back—or is something else going on? In this eye-opening episode of Career Espresso, your host Amanda challenges the conventional wisdom around this pervasive concept and reveals why labeling these feelings as a "syndrome" might be part of the problem, not the solution. Drawing on research and real-world examples, Amanda exposes how the popular understanding of Im...

What if your most challenging workplace relationship could be the key to your next breakthrough? In this episode of Career Espresso, host Amanda challenges conventional workplace wisdom by revealing how conflict, when properly managed, can become your secret weapon for innovation and career advancement. What You'll Discover The Innovation Edge - Harvard Business Review research shows teams with mo...

In this powerful episode of Career Espresso, host Amanda tackles one of the most pervasive challenges facing women in the workplace: the exhausting pursuit of likeability at the expense of effectiveness. Drawing from research by Harvard Business Review and McKinsey, this episode reveals why focusing on trust rather than likability could be the career game-changer you've been searching for. Through...

Is the loudest voice in the room always the most influential? In this eye-opening episode of Career Espresso, host Amanda challenges conventional leadership wisdom by exploring the hidden strength of quiet leadership and why it might be your untapped secret to career success. Backed by research from Harvard Business Review showing that introverted leaders often outperform their extroverted counter...